Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Edmonton Strathcona NDP MLA Raj Pannu announced today that he will not be seeking re-election in the next general election. Pannu has served Edmonton Strathcona since first being elected in 1997 and was the leader of the Alberta NDP from 2000 to 2004.

I like Raj Pannu. He's a hard worker and is passionate about bringing social justice issues to the forfront in Alberta politics (he's also my MLA). Though some people liked to argue that it wouldn't be true, I've long predicted that the 70+ MLA would not seek re-election.

In my mind, this opens Edmonton Strathcona up as a key battleground between the three-main parties in the next election. Since 1997, Pannu's personal popularity has gained him support from many traditional non-NDP voters and has more than definately been the cause of many high-profile Liberals and Tories declining to run against him.

As for high-profile candidates that may run in Stathcona, here are some potentials...

It may be a traditionally NDP riding, but Dr. Pannu had a ton of personal support from both Liberals and red Tories. The NDP may be in the best position to win the seat, but it will be still be a fight.

With Kevin Taft being in the riding nextdoor, I predict the fight will be between the NDp and the Liberals wit the Tories in a distant third.

When I was living in that riding, attending the U of A, I certainly appreciated having Raj as my representative. It's unfortunate to see him go, though entirely understandable. I hope the NDP continue to take the riding.

I always figured him to be more of an NDP type, given his support for candidates like Azania and Duncan (I think he supported Duncan). But, of course, I voted for both of those people, but I sure as hell wouldn't vote for the Alberta NDP (except for Raj), so it goes that Federal and Provincial politics are two totally different beasts.

A Michael Phair candidacy would be huge, but I hope that you're just not pulling that out of thin air.

I think Michael Phair would be awesome no mater who he would ever run for. I would just hate to see him be drawn into the trenches of partisan politics - because he does such a good job on City Council.

I wasn't talking about him being an opposition MLA, but come to think of it, he would make a great Minister of Community Development - or Minister of Justice... Hon. Michael Phair, Minister of Justice...

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The opinions expressed on this blog represent my own and not those of my employer or any organization I may be affiliated with.In addition, my thoughts and opinions change from time to time. I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This blog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot and manifestation of the various ideas running around my brain, and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed within out-of-date posts may not the same, nor even similar, to those I may hold today.

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Who is Dave Cournoyer? I am a writer, blogger, communicator, occasional media pundit, political watcher, & proud life-long Albertan. I studied Political Science at the University of Alberta and have served as Vice-President (External) of the U of A Students' Union, Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students, and communications coordinator for Alberta's official opposition party.